The series is based on characters and elements appearing in Thomas Harris' novels Red Dragon and Hannibal, with focus on the relationship between FBI special investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), a forensic psychiatrist destined to become Graham's most cunning enemy.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.35 million household viewers and gained a 0.8/3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Critics praised nearly every aspect of the episode, including Slade's directing, writing, performances, cinematography, twists, character development, visual style and musical score.
[1][2][3] Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) writes a letter to Crawford (Laurence Fishburne), inviting him for dinner.
Graham meets with Freddie Lounds (Lara Jean Chorostecki), asking her to respect Abigail Hobbs' memory and not publish anything regarding her, allowing her to write about him and Lecter as he is not sure if he will survive this time.
Prurnell (Cynthia Nixon) confronts Crawford about his intentions, as well as covering for Graham during Randall Tier's mutilation.
Graham escapes through his back door and, in order to earn his trust, calls Lecter to warn him that "they know".
Graham arrives at the scene and finds Bloom, seriously wounded, laying on the ground in the heavy rain.
Bloom indicates that Jack is inside and Graham enters Hannibal's home, gun drawn, where he is shocked to find Abigail still alive.
[5] Fuller said that Will Graham calling Hannibal Lecter to warn him about his incoming confrontation with Jack Crawford had different meanings.
"[7] He commented, "I knew that I wanted to have Hannibal lay waste to the remaining cast and then drop the mic and leave the stage.
I mean, if left to my dithers in a consequence-free environment, I want everyone to survive, because I can see storylines for all of those characters.
"[6] When questioned about the use of the credits rolling after the events of the house before transitioning to the plane scene, Fuller explained "we wanted separation between the finality of Hannibal Lecter walking out to the rain, having it wash over him, and cleanse him, and leaving this experience behind — an experience that has been beautiful but also demonstrative of his own weakness."
[7] Originally, Abigail would survive and she would be on the plane with Lecter, with her appearance in the house omitted to keep it as a surprise.
[11] With these ratings, Hannibal ranked second on its timeslot and fifth for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind a Shark Tank rerun, Dateline NBC, What Would You Do?, and 20/20.
Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode a perfect "masterpiece" 10 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict: "The Hannibal: Season 2 finale didn't hold back in the slightest, wrapping up the season in a delightfully ghastly way that left all of our main characters – except for Hannibal himself, of course – in the worst circumstances possible, seemingly moments away from death.
Completely blowing up the show's dynamic, 'Mizumono' left us with Hannibal getting away, joined by a shocking partner, as we ponder just how different this amazing series will be next year..."[13] Molly Eichel of The A.V.
That aforementioned dreaminess has slowed proceedings down, giving the series a signature feel that is often punctuated with bouts of fast-paced action.
So glad NBC's deal with Gaumont is keeping it around for more, and damn curious what the structure of the show will be with Hannibal as a fugitive, regardless of which FBI-adjacent characters make it out of his house alive.
Walking around after the final image cut to black, I found myself feeling a strange, vacillating mixture of hardcore adrenaline and physical numbness.
"[17] Nick McHatton of TV Fanatic gave the episode a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "There was a duality in place on 'Mizumono'.
"[18] Emma Dibdin of Digital Spy wrote, "And so the second season comes full circle, concluding with a beautiful, terrible reconstruction of the pilot episode's climactic finale in the Hobbs kitchen.